‘Great ease and simplicity of action’: Dr Nelson’s Inhaler and the origins of modern inhalation therapy

Unvei led at the conclus ion of a meeting of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society in 1861,[1] ‘Dr Nelson’s Improved Inhaler’ was one of the most important mi lestones in the genes is of rel iable treatment of respiratory a i lments in the modern era. Affordable and suitable for sel f-medication, the Dr Nelson’s Inhaler offered s imple and rel iable rel ief for patients with respiratory and pulmonary a i lments . Conspicuous for i ts modesty and s impl ici ty, i t was one of the most widely produced, reproduced, and used inhalation devices in the final third of the nineteenth century. By reconstructing the ‘biography’ of the Nelson Inhaler, this article wi l l attempt to sketch a network of medical and commercial interests and expertise in London which al igned in the 1860s to help establ ish inhalation as a popular, inexpensive, and trusted form of medical therapy for pulmonary ai lments . This article wi l l look at what connects phys icians, apothecaries , and patients in the era: the medicines and technologies that were prescribed, made, bought, and which caused wel lness , s ide-effects , and even death. This approach al lows us to develop a narrative of respiratory i l lness as i t was experienced by practi tioners and patients a l ike. Compone nt DOI: http://dx.doi .org/10.15180/170807/001